The Business Show 2013 - A brief Report

Went to the Business show 2013 held at Excel London on the 6th and 7th June 2013. Fabulous, insightful event............. tonnes of amazing and valuable information plus wonderful value for money offers (would mention some of these below), lots of competitions and free gifts were on offer.

It was a must-attend for anyone...
(a): interested in starting a business...and ready to turn their idea into reality,
(b): just started or been in business for a while....and looking to grow.

There were so many visitors all thirsting for knowledge from the many seminars and workshops,........ clamouring around the exhibitor stands eager to learn what's new and how the exhibitors could help build, enhance or grow their business(es).

There were so many people at the seminars and workshops. The doors were packed full of people who couldn't even get in the halls, the windows were blocked with people looking in from the outside and inside - so many people were sitting on the floor... the speakers didn't have much space to move around.

In fact, it was so full that one of the businesses speaking at the event had to start shooting a video of the speaker and collecting email addresses of people who couldn't get into the hall to send them a copy of the video and I happened to be one of those (a smart way to build up a contact list of people /businesses who are interested in your product or services). I even had to stand in front of a stall for over 15 minutes to speak to an exhibitor...that was how good and smoking hot the event was.


Keynote speakers at this event are some of UK's most influential and successful entrepreneurs, like:
Males: James Caan (from the Dragon's Den TV Show), Warren Knight (CEO and co-founder of Gloople), Levi Roots (owner of Reggae Reggae sauce), Doug Richard (former Dragon's Den star and queen's award holder), Warren Cass (founder of www.business-scene.com)

Females: Shaa Wasmund (voted one of the UK's 6 most connected women), Shweta Jhajharia (awarded London coach of the year consistently since 2009), Supermodel Caprice (known for her commercial nous and business acumen), Lara Morgan (built and sold 99% of Pacific Direct for £20 million), Caroline Marsh (established global business mentoring programs for start-ups and SMEs) and many more.

Here are some of the seminars and workshops I was able to attend:

1. Stand out from the crowd with video marketing (Martin Ray-Jones) Eden Videos
2. Grow your business using facebook (Felicity McCarthy) Facebook
3. Stop talking, start doing: from now to £5m (Shaa Wasmond)
4. Email Marketing Workshop by e-shot.net
5. Web success workshop by 1&1

Some of the seminars and workshops I would have loved to attend but was unable to either because I had to leave early due to other commitments or because it was running at the same time as another seminar or workshop I had to attend:

1. Building a brand (Caprice)
2. How to get free traffic from youtube (Ben Brophy) The Internet Business School
3. How to get mass of traffic to your website (Simon Coulson) The Internet Business School
4. Advertising must do's and clever tricks of the trade (LynsayTaffe) Committee of Advertising Practice
5. How to grow your business by building your online reputation (Clwyd Probert) White Hart SEO Limited
6. How to create an inspiring office on a budget (Rod Fountain) Flute office limited
7. VAT: Obligations and Opportunities (Andy Dawbarn) Wilkins Kennedy LLB
8. Doing more with Less: getting your business off the ground the lean and agile way (Xenios Thrasyvoulou) People per Hour

Exhibitor stands visited and what I gained:

1. Companies House - Dates when my Annual Return and Company Accounts where due plus Leaflets (What is an Annual Return, How to file Accounts online, Accounts for Company House)
2. Lovesocialmedia.com - free profile pictures taken for my LinkedIn page (Picture taken by Richard Shymansky of hillsandsaunders.co.uk) Picture coming soon
3. Naked wine - (voucher: Code GBBS3103  Password ASP32XYN) Claim within 30 days of receipt www.nakedwines.com/greatbritishbusiness2

Some of the products and services on offer:

1. People per hour - (free app) + (Voucher Code: SUS-2WAQD, upto 10% off your first job onany purchase up to £500, Voucher value up to £50, Valid until 7th August 2013)
2. Jellyfielder studio - 10% off video packages (valid from 08/06/2013 to 08/08/13) www.jellyfielders.tv
3. Telnames - Exclusive offer = 60% off (set your business website up for mobile phone access)
4. Lazypbx.com - (voucher code: mexe-somu-xixu  £20 account credit) create free custom business phone solution
5. The Virtual Business Office - (Promo code: BSU13 - 1st month service charge free)Telephone answering £10/month, £1/message) 01665 511 340
6. KashFlow Accounting software - (Try for free, No payment, No restriction, No catches) www.kashflow.comor 0800 848 8301
7. 1&1 my website - (a professional website made by you. Ideal for business and freelancers), 30 day trial visit www. 1and1.co.uk/business or call 0800 171 2631
8. 4Networking - Free 1 hour sessions to allow attendees build real relationships quickly
9. CAP UK - Free CAP Advice and Training (www.cap.org.uk/sme), Get your advertising right first time
10. Ikea Business - free startup workshops at your local Ikea and regular free networking events (www.ikeabusiness.co.uk)
11. Business Show - Tweet Meet (tweeters, bloggers and likers meet up and chat about business face to face)
12. Business Show - The Wall (jot down what your business is looking for, Pin to Business Connection Wall inc your business card, come back end of day to collect all the business cards pinned to yours)

Posted Monday 10th June 2013